We're back after the summer break and delighted to announce that Ireland XO has launched for 2012. Read on to find out more:

* Launch Night 2012 - a summary, a video, photos and presentation from the October 12th launch in Loughrea available here
* Media Coverage - the latest coverage on Ireland XO in the press and on radio
* Latest News on plans for the 2012 Week of Welcomes in east Galway as well as our nomination for the Pride of Place competition.

Please help us to continue to spread the word about the project by sharing this page with your friends and also on Facebook and Twitter.

Best regards
Your Ireland XO Team

Week of Welcomes 2012

Mark your calendars! East Galway's Week of Welcomes 2012 will take place from Sunday, June 24th to Saturday, June 30th. Look out for detailed information on next year's schedule of events and how to book in the next couple of weeks!

Have a listen to some of this year's visitors talking about their experience on RTE1's John Murray radio show: Interview with Week of Welcomes visitors from the US and Australia (starts ~ 30 minutes in)

All-island Pride of Place Competition

Ireland XO is proud to announce that we have been short-listed for the Community Tourism Initiative award. The result will be announced on November 5th at an awards ceremony in Bunclody, Co. Wexford. Keep your fingers crossed!

Ireland XO Launch 2012
 

Parishes from ten counties across Ireland attended the launch of the 2012 Ireland Reaching Out programme in Loughrea on October 12th.

Attending the packed meeting, for the first time, were representatives from parish communities across Ireland who have expressed interest in launching Ireland XO in their areas. Parishes from the counties of Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Donegal, Kerry, Limerick, Roscommon, Tipperary and Waterford among others were welcomed to the meeting in Loughrea.

The evening consisted of a short review of the Ireland XO 2010/2011 programme including parish volunteer feedback on last year’s activities and from Week of Welcome participants. The evening included reports on discussions being held with government agencies on the national expansion of Ireland XO and a report from the second Global Irish Economic Forum at Dublin Castle where Ireland Reaching Out project was represented by Ireland XO Chairman Mike Feerick and David McWilliams. Presentations were made by Mike Feerick, Marie Mannion, County Galway Heritage Officer, and Mark Conroy, Ireland XO Web Site Manager.  David McWilliams addressed the meeting with some reflections on the programme's excellent progress and some lighter comments on the Irish economy.

A pdf file (> 2.5MB) of the presentation can be downloaded here. More photos on Facebook.

Latest Media Coverage
Sept-Oct 2011

Ireland Reaching Out - 2012 Launch
Ina O'Murchu, New Tech Post, October 17th

25 parishes keen to 'reach out' to people with Irish ancestry
Ronan McGreevy, Irish Times, October 12th

Ireland Reaching Out poised for countrywide expansion
The Galway Independet, October 12th

Family, Friends and Fun (page 3)
Inside Ireland, September 2011